Rules making us extinct, say angry buskers

Entertainment

Busking in Dublin is currently being "restricted to extinction" by Dublin City Council, street performers have claimed.

With the controversial issue set to come before councillors on Monday, thousands of people have signed a petition demanding that city officials sit down with buskers' representatives and draft a "workable solution" to the issue.

The petition calls on street performance to be formally recognised as a legitimate art form.

Fergal O'Rourke, the director of Dublin City Buskers, said the petition has received tremendous support, and there have been days when 2,000 signatures were collected.

Rushed

"It's very rushed legislation," he said, adding that new rules only came into effect earlier this year.

"Some councillors have agreed to talk with us prior to the meeting."

The first ever street performance by-laws came into effect last April.

A review of their operation was carried out in October and a number of amendments have been suggested.

These included that musicians will have only one hour to sing on their favourite spots before packing away their instruments. Some complaints had centred on buskers over-staying their two-hour limit.

A report on the review of the by-laws will be presented to the council, and this will be followed by a six-week period of public consultation.

A statement from the council stressed that it has no intention of banning busking or other street performances.

"We are committed to encouraging and preserving street performance and we recognise the vibrancy it brings to the city," it said.

"These by-laws are essential to ensure a reasonable balance between the activity and the concerns of the business sector, residents and general public."